October 1, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Celebrates the Holiday Season at Meet Me Under the Fig Tree

The holiday season in Santa Monica officially started this past Sunday,
December 10th at Meet Me Under the Fig Tree, a free annual community event hosted by Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and MSD Capital.
Over one thousand Santa Monicans gathered under the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree to celebrate the holiday season with live performances by Grammy award winning pianist Bill Cunliffe and the Santa Monica High School Orchestra, and vocalist Savi. The event was hosted by KTLA personalities Wendy Burch and Eric Spillman, while guests enjoyed playing in the snow, holiday cookie decorating, hair braiding by Glam & Go, a bounce house, a petting zoo, arts and crafts and a
whimsical ginger bread house display, as well as meet and greets with members of Santa Monica Police Department Mounted Police, Heal the Bay and the American Red Cross.

Once again, pictures with Santa Claus proved to be extremely popular, which parents can access on the Friends of the Miramar Facebook Page in the coming week. Guests were also treated to a complimentary raffle, which featured prizes donated by community partners including Arclight Theater, Fritto Misto, Healthy Spot, Exhale, Helen’s Bikes, King’s Seafood/Water Grill, FIG Restaurant and a one-night stay at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Guests delighted in culinary offerings such as grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken shawarma and
three types of hot chocolate from FIG Restaurant, and food from Santa Monica partners including Lunetta All Day, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Vanilla Bake Shop, Panini Kabob Grill and Crityk.

Attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food to be donated to The People Concern. In total, over 11,000 pounds of food was collected, all of which will be distributed to those families in the community most in need.

In addition to the food drive for The People Concern, Meet Me Under the Fig Tree was proud to be partnering with Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) to raise funds for their programs that benefits youth aged 6-17 in Santa Monica. Over $5,000 was raised for Santa Monica PAL from a silent auction of hotel room stays throughout California.

“I personally look forward each year to Meet Me Under the Fig Tree, which has turned into our largest community event of the year”, said Matthew Lehman, General Manager of the Fairmont Hotel & Bungalows. “This year we welcomed over 1,000 Santa Monicans.”

Ellis O’Connor of MSD Capital’s Hospitality Group added, “We are always impressed by the generosity of our community, with significant donations that benefit such worthwhile local charities.”

“We are humbled to once again to be part of this event that benefits our most vulnerable neighbors and gives the community in its entirety a reason to come together and celebrate,” said John Maceri, Executive Director of The People Concern. “Thousands of individuals and families will be directly helped by those who generously decided to give. Thank you to the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and
MSD Capital for hosting this annual Santa Monica holiday tradition.”

“We love being a part of Meet Me Under the Fig Tree and I could not be more impressed with the event this year,” said Eula Fritz, Director of Santa Monica PAL. “The Fairmont Miramar is such a big part of our community and they once again put on an amazing community event supporting important charitable organizations. We look forward to coming back next year.”

Santa Monica residents are invited for a staycation at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows during the month of December with discounted rates. To make a reservation, Santa Monica residents can dial 1-800-441-1414 and mention “The Fig Tree” for a discount. In addition, a portion of the room rates made under the program will be donated to Santa Monica PAL.

Related Posts

(Video) Interview With Downtown Activist on Being Attacked by Homeless Suspect

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming. @smmirrornews John Alle was hospitalized after...

Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Into Citizen on Venice Beach Boardwalk

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

The Suspect Is Also Seen Drinking From a Modelo Beer Bottle By Zach Armstrong A potential drunk driver hit a...

Beloved Roosevelt Elementary Teacher Kitty Donohoe Leaves a Legacy of Inspiration

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

Longtime Educator Remembered for 35 Years of Dedication to Roosevelt Community By Dolores Quintana The Santa Monica – Malibu Unified...

$10K of Pickleball Equipment Destroyed in Memorial Park Arson

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Thanks to an Outpour of Donations and Support, Storage Bins Should Be Set Up by the End of Next Week...

Revolutionize Your Coffee Experience: Blue Bottle’s Exclusive Residency Unveiled

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

A Full Flavor Coffee Experience With Dessert Meant For Savoring  By Dolores Quintana Blue Bottle Coffee, a well-known specialty coffee...

Rebranded Breakfast Burrito Specialist Still Eyes 2023 Santa Monica Opening

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Earlier This Year, It Was Reported the Restaurant Will Expand in a Different Time Frame Than Initially Expected By Zach...

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...